Great Ellingham Methodist ChapelPhotograph taken February 2017 From the Downham Market Gazette Saturday 8th January 1916: GREAT ELLINGHAMWEDDING – The marriage of Mr Henry Frank Downes, son of Mr and Mrs R Downes, Decoy Farm, Besthorpe, and Miss Edith Ducker, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Ducker, daughter of Mr and Mrs J. Ducker, Great…
Category: Places and Buildings
The Unpretentious and Amiable Sophia Pleasance Sparham c.1852-1897
The recent news highlighting the medical condition scoliosis reminded me of Sophia Pleasance Sparham. Sophia is a daughter of Great Ellingham Baptist Minister, Thomas H Sparham. She lived with the same , or similar, condition. Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. Although, historically, there have been treatments available with some success, it is…
The Occupiers of The Manse through Time
It was during the Reverend James Cragg’s pastorate that a new house for the Baptist Minister was built in Great Ellingham. In the Baptist Church Minute Book, James Cragg sets down what he understood to be the history of the Baptist Church. He also recorded that “A suitable residence for the pastor of the Church…
Occupiers of the Baptist Church’s Cottage
‘Elizabeth Asty’s House’ in Long Street. Photograph taken November 2024 Earlier History This delightful ‘old cottage’ in ‘Chapel Yard’, Long Street was once owned by Elizabeth Asty. She died in or about 1724. Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of George and Elizabeth Asty. The cottage had belonged to Elizabeth’s mother before her marriage. However when…
The Building of a New House for the Baptist Minister
The Manse, Long Street, Great Ellingham It was during the Reverend James Cragg’s pastorate that a new house for the Baptist Minister was built in Great Ellingham. The new house did not include the bay windows, which were added some 30 years later. In 1849, the Great Ellingham Baptist Church celebrated their 150th anniversary. At…
The Building of the Baptist Chapel
Baptist Chapel, Long Street, Great EllinghamAttleborough Heritage Group The listing for the Great Ellingham Baptist Chapel on the British Listed Buildings website describes the building as: Baptist chapel. 1824. Brick with gabled pantile roof. 2 storeys. Pair of modified Doric columns on plinths support Ionic architrave to form porch. One sash window left and right…
The Baptist’s Meeting House in Long Street
Members of the Baptist Church have met together in Great Ellingham since at least 1699. The semi-circular tablet in the front wall of the chapel gives the year ‘1699’. However this is the year of the formation of a Baptist Church in Great Ellingham, and not when the building was built. The chapel was built…
Elizabeth Asty provides a Meeting House for the Baptist Church
‘Elizabeth Asty’s House’ in Long Street. Photograph taken November 2024 In the late 17th century and into the 18th century, Elizabeth Asty lived in a cottage in Long Street. The cottage together with a stable and bakehouse and several parcels of land, once belonged to Elizabeth’s mother before her marriage to Elizabeth’s father, George Asty….
Was Emma King a Deserted Wife?
A chance discovery of a newspaper notice of a marriage between a Great Ellingham shopkeeper and the daughter of a ‘gentleman’ from the nearby town of Attleborough, led to me to wonder whether the bride could later be described a ‘deserted wife’. From the Norfolk Chronicle of the 23rd May, 1868: MarriageKING-SPARROW on the 12th…
Ellis Beales’ working life begins at the age of 8!
The finding of a newspaper article relating to a Golden Wedding celebration, provides an insight into the life of Great Ellingham born Ellis Beales. Ellis recounts in much detail his working life, which began when he was just 8 years old. From the Yarmouth Independent dated 1st December, 1934: GOLDEN WEDDINGMR & MRS ELLIS BEALES…